Alicia, the "WC" is the water closet, or toilet room. Not silly at all to ask . . . I'm the original "what does that mean" person!! By folding table, I actually meant a table for folding clothes, not that the table itself folds. I'll take a photo as soon as I can . . . right now the W/D are in the middle of the room so trim carpenters can finish behind it. Here's another idea: Would you consider putting the actual closet in the garage? You and your guys could keep current coats/jackets on the hooks behind the bench, and use the closet for storing out-of-season things. If you removed the closet from the mud room, it would open up lots more space for both laundry and benches. In our last house, we had a wall rack for grubby outerwear in the garage, and liked the idea so much that we're repeating it in this house, adding a bench under the rack so we can get rid of gardening & yardwork jackets and boots before ever entering the house. This bench will be very utilitarian -- no glamour at all! Just inside the side entrance, we'll have a more finished, nice bench with beadboard backing and places for normal outerwear. We loved keeping really nasty stuff confined to the garage. My last laundry room had a deep plastic utility sink, which was okay but it stained easily. This time my countertop people had a couple of Kohler SS single-bowl sinks that they'd bought for a display and never used -- they gave me such a good price that I felt like I was stealing them!! I'm using one of them in the laundry room. I should be able to get a photo of my folding table tomorrow or Tuesday -- check back then.

jane: you're outnumbered!! :) And I did not know about the panel ready CDs, but the pics I've seen don't thrill me. I only like the look of panel ready when they are completely built in and you really have to know where they are to find them - and that's not in the budget! deedles - so true on the traffic. And, really, it's me and 2 kids. DH is rarely home when I'm cooking and we entertain, but not a ton. The oven is currently right next to the tiniest aisle and doorway to the DR so there is TONS of traffic there. This would be better for sure. And we currently have no place for people to sit and talk to me - once they have a place at the peninsula, even less likely they'll be milling about in front of my stove. Maybe I'll find a work table that can double as a sideboard...then I can leave it in the DR 90% of the time, but if we are having a party with lots of kids/people we can move it in from of the cooking area for that day.

@MissTKO2015: It sounds like you are looking for a 36" integrated refrigerator, want to reduce the amount stainless (even consider white), a. Consider this Thermador model instead : T36IB800SP Similar price, but without the extra exposed stainless and can be fully integrated. b. Are you open to floor models? Showrooms are often reconfiguring their spaces this time of year as the new models come in. Just a warning on the budget -- make sure you price out your panels. Depending on who is doing your cabinets, they can get very expensive (>$1,000). I ended up with the Viking (based on a Whirlpool design) because it was a good deal and they have a trim kit available. I had DH's budget dictate to fit into. The finish level on the exposed surfaces is generally better (the quality and thickness of the stainless steel) than other standalones but the standard pricing is unfortunately at a premium (roughly 3.5K instead of 3K for the KA standalone). KA, JennAir, DCS, and others make derivatives of the same base platform at different prices, but not all of them offer a trim kit (extra). I was concerned with the amount of stainless and chose to panel the DW, put the MW in a cabinet (with pop up door), and went with a powder-coated hood.

Go with the most comfortable but leather will last longer and wear better. Take a look at Omnia or Palliser for similar styles to the microfiber one you like. Omnia is all top grain and Palliser offers all leather or a leather/vinyl option. By the look of your empty room you can go with most anything.